March is almost here, which means spring is now peeking over the horizon. There’s no doubt that there will still be the odd day of slushy snow and chillness in the air; however, things are on the up! There’s so much going on in Chicago, from unique dining experiences and can’t-miss concerts to an array of extraordinary exhibitions. So, without further ado, here are the best things to do in Chicago in March!
Head to a St. Patrick’s Day event or bar crawl
Of course, one of the best things to do in Chicago in March is participate in , the city’s iconic St. Patrick’s Day celebration.
See the Green River Dyeing
This year, the River Dyeing, which dates back to 1962, will occur on Saturday, March 15, 2025. Starting at 10:00 am, the Chicago Plumbers Union Local 130 will again turn the river emerald green using a vegetable-based and environmentally friendly dye. For the very best views, head to the east side of the Michigan Avenue bridge or the west side of the Columbus Drive bridge. Alternatively, anywhere between State Street and Columbus Drive, anywhere on the riverwalk, also offers a great view of the dyed river.
Attend a St. Patrick’s Day parade
After the river dyeing has commenced, the weekend is all about the parades and marches that take place across Chicago. This is one of the best things to do in Chicago in March if you’re looking to embrace the jubilance of St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago.
This year, the city of Chicago will host its annual official St. Patrick’s Day parade at around 12:30 pm on Saturday, March 15th. The parade will follow its usual route up Columbus Drive, starting at Balbo Drive around 12:30 and finishing at Monroe Street.
Check out Chicago’s most over-the-top St. Patrick’s Day pop-up bar
If you’re a fan of pop-ups, particularly when they go all the way with decor and themed food and drinks, we’ve got the place for you. You’re guaranteed to find all of that and more at Wrigleyville’s Charm (aka The Magical Irish Pop-Up), where an enchanting, multi-level, over-the-top experience offers one of the best things to do in Chicago in March.
Guests can expect a spectacular explosion of Irish decor, photo-ops, and an equally impressive array of extraordinary themed drinks and snacks that make up a sublime St. Patrick’s Day menu.
Read more about the Charm’d Bar.
Take home one-of-a-kind art from The Other Art Fair
The eclectic “The Other Art Fair” returns to Chicago’s Artifact Events in Ravenswood from March 27-30, 2025. Explore thousands of unique artworks from over 115 emerging and independent artists at this can’t-miss fair, with prices starting at just $100. Enjoy Instagrammable interactive installations, DJ sets, a flowing fair bar, food trucks, and new this year—the Artisan Edit featuring artists showcasing decorative works made from materials including ceramic, glass, metal and wood.
Plus, book portrait sessions styled in an artfully curated space by special guest artist and New York Times bestselling author Anna Marie Tendler in the House of Self photobooth, inspired by her photography series Rooms in the First House and her memoir Men Have Called Her Crazy. As part of its mission to support emerging talent, The Other Art Fair’s New Futures program will feature Chicago artist Jeff Rivers, who will receive exhibition space to help jump-start his career in the art world. Don’t miss the “I Love Art” Interactive Stamp Scavenger Hunt from Chicago-based artist Joe Kraft. Hit the fair on Thursday and Friday evening and enjoy music by Rocío Santos and Nudia Hernandez of Chicago’s WBEZ & Vocalo!
🎟️ Tickets start at $20 right now—grab yours before prices go up at the door!
Go to this fun bingo party
Chicago, get ready because Bingo Loco is bringing comedian MCs, throwback anthems, epic dance-offs, confetti showers, and prizes like holidays and cars to the ultimate bingo rave this March. Grab tickets for upcoming events this spring, happening one only on March 15, March 28, April 11, and April 25.
Secure your spot now!Marvel at the magical spring Chicagohenge spectacle
Later on in the month, another astounding spectacle to rival that of the Green River takes place, treating Chicago to a wonderful collaboration between the magic of nature and Chicago’s glorious architecture dubbed Chicagohenge.
Because Chicago was built on a grid system with streets lining up nearly perfectly on compass north to south and east to west, the sun lines up directly with Chicago’s east-west facing streets on the spring and fall equinoxes beaming down the heart of the city.
Find out more about where and when to best experience this spring’s Chicagohenge.
Visit one of Chicago’s best observation decks for free
The 360 CHICAGO observation deck is offering free general admission to city residents from March 1-7 in honor of Chicago’s 188th birthday.
The week-long celebration includes a birthday party on March 3 with complimentary Garett Popcorn, cake, and Chicago-themed airbrush tattoos.
Guests can also try a new specialty Malört cocktail called “The Chicago Spirit” at CloudBar, and sample wine selections from Chicago Winery.
To enjoy free admission, Chicagoans simply need to present a valid ID with a 606xx zip code or a Chicago Public School ID.
Ride Chicago’s ‘FlyOver’ experience
For those who may have missed it, a thrilling new ride is coming to Navy Pier debuting on the first day of March.
The exciting 48,000 square-foot FlyOver experience will suspend riders above the city’s incredible skyline, courtesy of a massive 65-foot spherical screen surrounding riders and flight motion seats, soaring from location to location.
Incorporating leading drone technologies along with impressive aerial shots and first person-narratives, ‘FlyOver’ is an immersive attraction
that “transports guests to the planet’s most epic places through exhilarating flying journeys.”
Ring in spring with colorful chaos at Navy Pier’s free Holi festival
Navy Pier is celebrating Holi with a free festival celebration.
Very few festivals around the world provide such an extraordinarily prismatic display as the Hindu Holi festival, aka the festival of color. Though in India, it marks the victory of good over evil and the arrival of spring, many around the world today enjoy it for the merrymaking it entails and the vibrant spectacle it provides in the aftermath. Because who doesn’t love chucking powders at their chums and coming out covered head to toe in an amalgamation of colors?
This year Chicagoans will again have the opportunity to cake their friends in color down at Navy Pier for the city’s returning Holi festival celebration. The free event will kick off in Navy Pier’s Beer Garden—making it one of the best things to do in Chicago in March.
Clara’s in Woodridge Offers 1987 Prices for One Night
Clara’s, a beloved Chicagoland Italian restaurant, is celebrating its 38th anniversary by rolling back prices to 1987 levels for one night only. On Thursday, March 13th, diners can enjoy select items, including homemade pasta, fresh seafood, and traditional Italian desserts for under $7 per dish. The menu includes $4.50 pasta with sauce, $6.75 lasagna, and $1.50 tiramisu. Clara’s is also launching its annual fundraising campaign, donating all proceeds from their housemade lemon delight to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
📍 Location: 6550 IL-53, Woodridge, IL 60517
🗓️ Date: Thursday, March 13th
Celebrate Mardi Gras in Chicago with Festive Events
Chicago may be far from New Orleans, but the Windy City is ready to let the good times roll this Mardi Gras season. From March 1 to March 4, the city offers a variety of exciting Mardi Gras celebrations, including masquerade balls, gumbo cook-offs, and lively dance parties. Highlights include aliveOne’s Purple Haze specials and music bingo, Blue Bayou’s crawfish boil and burlesque show, and Cody’s Public House’s two-day celebration featuring a gumbo cook-off and free New Orleans-style buffet.
📍 Location: Various venues across Chicago
🗓️ Dates: March 1 – March 4, 2025
Cruise down the Chicago River in a hot tub boat
For over a decade, The Chicago Electric Boat Company has offered a unique, environmentally friendly way to see the city of Chicago thanks to their fleet of rentable 100% electric boats, but now a winter addition will join the Chicago Electric Boat Company fleet, this time in the form of Hot Tub Boat Cruises.
Yes, you read that correctly. Launching out of the docks at Marina City, the new zero-emissions vessels will take up to six people at a time floating along the main branch of the Chicago River in a boat equipped with a fully functioning hot tub—hot tub in the river in Chicago this March.
Read more about the new hot tub boats.
Enjoy free admission to the Field Museum on a Wednesday
Talking of the Field Museum, at the start of the year, the museum announced a new regular free admission day for the rest of the year.
For a long time, the most popular museums and attractions in Chicago have announced random free days throughout the year, especially during the months that are calmer for Chicago’s tourism industry.
However, the Field Museum is doing it a little differently this year. The iconic museum has announced that it will instead offer locals the chance to see some of the world’s most awe-inspiring wonders every Wednesday of 2025 for absolutely zero cost.
Read more about Field Museum’s free Wednesdays.
Spend an evening at Shedd Aquarium for free
Another place that has recently announced a schedule of free admission slots is none other than Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium.
Following in Field Museum’s footsteps, the beloved aquarium has announced that it will offer free entry every Tuesday evening from the beginning of March through to July.
Beginning Tuesday, March 5th, Illinois Residents can enter the beloved aquarium from 5 p.m. through to 9 p.m.
Read more about free Tuesday evenings at the Shedd Aquarium.
Taste test wine at Uncorked: Chicago Wine Fest
Yet another MSI experience involving booze will take place one week later on Saturday, March 8th, from 6:30 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Guests can enjoy over 150 wines & bubblies from across the globe, as well as some “outside the bottle” beverages (like seltzers, canned cocktails, and spirits).
There will also be a DJ spinning tunes and food vendors at the exclusive after-hours event at the iconic museum.
Learn more about Uncorked: Chicago Wine Fest.
Embrace the new season at Lincoln Park Conservatory’s spring flower show
Lincoln Park Conservatory, one of Chicago’s oldest public gardens, has now kicked off this year’s Spring Flower Show, indicating that the arrival of significantly longer days, warmer weather, and blossoming flowers in the not-too-distant future.
‘Sweet Gnome Chicago’ features nearly 300 gnomes of varying sizes and materials that have taken up residence in all of the Lincoln Park Conservatory display houses “with particular focus on the Show House.”
Vignettes of the whimsical creatures are set amongst vibrant and gorgeous spring flowering shrubs, perennials, annuals, and bulbs including Foxy Foxtrot Tulips, Garden Party Lilies, Blueberry Thrill Violas, and hundreds of other blooming beauties.
Be captivated by a Candlelight Concert
Candlelight concerts offer another incredible spectacle that can be enjoyed this month. Step into Chicago’s most exquisite spaces to experience some unforgettable performances. The beloved Candlelight series has organized an array of talented musicians performing at the city’s best venues illuminated with hundreds of candles, and extra dates have been added due to popular demand.
Warm up and revitalize at Chicago’s most unique spas
There is simply no better place in Chicago for some rest than AIRE’s Ancient Baths located inside a restored historic River West factory. Inspired by the traditional Roman, Greek, and Ottoman bathing experience, this preserved structure has been restored to its original splendor. You can now find optimum relaxation within the building’s exposed brick, wooden beams, and industrial columns.
There are, however, an array of idyllic spas and bathhouses in Chicago all offering medicine for mind, body, and soul—it’s one of the best things to do in Chicago in March.
Head out of the city and see Illinois’ natural spectacles
Ok, we know this one isn’t strictly in Chicago, but with so much going on in the city, it can be nice to escape to the quiet of Illinois’ natural beauty.
Though our state may not boast wonders with the universal magnitude of the Grand Canyon nor the grandiose reputation of Niagra Falls, Illinois is teeming with diverse ecological landscapes that transform into incredible winter wonderlands this time of the year.
From monolithic marvels covered in snow to cascading waterfalls frozen in time, we’ve selected seven natural wonders of Illinois that you can visit while they’re a different beast in winter.